The role of multistrata agroforestry in the UK’s agroecological transition

Why use costly manufactured infrastructure when vertical farming is available naturally with multistrata agroforestry? Karina Ponton, MSc Environmental Forestry Graduate of Bangor University, asks the question.

Transformation for the future we all want

To meet the needs of current and future generations, a paradigm shift – of our goals, values, technology, social and economic systems – is necessary. The combination of Brexit, the end of the Common Agricultural Policy and declaration of a Climate Emergency by the UK government may be the largest trigger event to our land-use systems. Thus, we have an incredible opportunity to transform the way we do things.

I therefore decided to research the role of agroecological practices such as multistrata agroforestry during this transformative period we are bearing witness to. Agroforestry can be practiced in many ways to meet current and future demands for sustainable food, fuel and fibre. Many forms of agroforestry are compatible with woodland creation grants, carbon sequestration opportunities, innovation funding, Basic Payment Scheme and the incoming Environmental Land Management.

I am exceptionally grateful to the Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund for providing a grant towards my site visit travel costs, soil testing and interactive video subscription to process the data.

Multistrata agroforestry (MSA) research

The research project focused on the rapidly growing practice of multistrata agroforestry (MSA): multi-layered perennial polycultures (aka food forest / forest garden). In multistrata agroforestry, systems are designed to emulate or mimic natural forest systems, by planting or encouraging three or more perennial layers across a site (Table 1).

Research methods and key findings

The research project included a mixedmethod survey of thirteen MSA sites aged 10-30 years, including:

1. Interviews with site owners identified

difficulties and successes. Interviews revealed that temperate forest gardens are human-centred systems. Activities contribute to on-site and off-site agroecological transformations. Site managers’ difficulties in establishment or maintenance (lack of resources, biotic or logistical setbacks) lessened over time.

Perennial Egyptian walking onion

Multistrata Agroforestry Layers (table 1)

Layer Example species

Upper Canopy pine, alder, cherry Lower Canopy apple, hawthorn Shrub gooseberry, autumn olive Herbaceous saffron crocus, Solomon’s seal Groundcover comfrey, strawberry, wild garlic Root Chinese yam, mashua, oca Fungal oyster, wine cap Climbing chocolate vine, grape, wisteria Aquatic lesser spearwort, water mint

2. Diversity and abundance surveys iden-

tified planting densities. Woody plant surveys identified >4000 shrub and canopy plants. Abundance and density varied widely across sites and layers (Figure 1).

3. Ethnobotanical surveys identified spe-

cies richness and utilisation. Floristic species richness totalled 520 species across sites despite a mean size of 0.5 ha. This is higher than large-scale organic and conventional agricultural systems – and is extremely likely an underestimate. Over 1800 plant uses were recorded, including food, biodiversity, timber/firewood, animal feed, natural fertilisers and medicine.

4. Creation of MSA virtual tours as an edu-

cation and design tool. Virtual tours have already had over 3500 views. They can be accessed using the QR code (below) via mobile phones, tablets and computers to aid education, inspiration and overall MSA uptake.

The range of benefits of Multistrata agroforesty

Productivity

Multistrata agroforestry is highly productive. Participant and expert Graham Bell’s crop yield records equate to 8700-15600 tonnes ha. This is comparable or higher than yields of wheat, barley and oats in the UK (Defra, 2019).

Climate benefits

Multistrata systems are second only to >>

Stepney City Farm Forest Garden

natural forests in their ability to sequester carbon (Toensmeier, 2916). Through collection of DBH of all woody species, the study identified potentially useful species for timber or sequestration. These include Leylandii (8cm), Alnus cordata (13cm), Hippophae rhamnoides (8.3cm) and Juglans ailantifolia (9.2cm) (all values are average DBH of >20 stems per species at ten years growth.

Resilience

As we experience more unpredictable weather, and risks from pests and diseases, polycultures can provide resilience against such shocks. As one participant said “something always does well.”

Diversification

Multistrata agroforestry is often integrated into sites to provide a diversified portfolio (Table 2).

Conclusion

We have an opportunity to decide for ourselves what our land will look like and how we steward it. It up to us as to whether we embrace transformation.

Contact karinavponton@gmail.com for access to the full report and a simplified version for practitioners: www.permaculture. org.uk/research/forest-garden-research Multistrata agroforestry for an estate’s diversified portfolio (table 2)

OPPORTUNITIES DETAILS, EXAMPLES AND FURTHER INFORMATION

Tours and Open Gardens e.g. Agroforestry Research Trust, Carpe Diem Gardens Perennial market gardens Perennials can be a USP, e.g. Old Sleningford Farm, Incredible or preserve boxes Vegetables Arboretums, unique Conservation of endangered or heritage plants

specimens and seed banks

Tree & plant nurseries e.g. Agroforestry Research Trust, Cottage Garden Supporting others Gifting land to BPOC or marginalised (Land Workers Alliance, Ecological Land Cooperative, Food Forest Foundation) Education & courses For young or novice learners, e.g. Rootsman Rak, National Forest Gardening Scheme Underplanted orchards Underplant with fruit bushes and herbaceous perennials Rewilding & regeneration Integrate into restoration or rewilding Farm clusters Integrate into large scale or catchment efforts (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Natural England) Research & experimentation Trialling new species, provenances, ecological interactions, growth performance for timber, fuel and soil remediation, e.g. Agroforestry Research Trust, Eric Toensmeier

Event space

For wellbeing retreats and weddings, e.g. The Quadrangle Designs Design consultancy services, e.g. Rootsman Rak, Whitefield Associates Pick your own, cafes e.g. Stepney City Farm, Edibles

or fine dining